The Nintendo Switch v4.00 system update is the gift that keeps on giving; aside from adding the ability to capture video gameplay clips and enabling the use of wireless headphones with a USB adaptor, it seems there was a rather fun secret addition that wasn't in Nintendo's patch notes. It turns out you can now use the Wii U GameCube controller adapter with the system, so you can use the best gaming controller ever made (well, according to some) on your Switch.
If you have one of these adapters simply plug it into your Switch dock, go over to the controller settings page from the main menu and press L+R. Hopefully this is paving the way for an updated version of Super Smash Bros. for Switch, or if we're really optimistic it could be an early hint at GameCube games getting lined up to launch the hybrid's Virtual Console.
We've had some reports from readers that third-party GameCube controller adapters aren't working, however; let us know if you have given this a try yet with a comment below.
Comments 207
Just let the gamecube controller die already
This is nice, but seriously Nintendo, at least hint at smash for switch! Please!!!
I have the official one and it works so well. So happy, I love the Gamecube controller. Good for Resident Evil games, so a definite use for Resident Evil Revelations Collection.
Are they read as Pro Controllers? Can we finally use them with Mario Kart? Great as a cheap Pro Controller alternative if so.
@shaneoh Why? The GameCube controller is the best controller ever (maybe except for the SNES controller).
@shaneoh Why though,its a great controller and the majority of smash players use it. Why abandon what is already amazing for new "good" controllers which dont live up to it?
@Ikana64 Yes, they are read as wired pro controllers.
@PhantomSwitch
It really isn't
Smash 4 Switch confirmed.
@shaneoh You could atleast give reasons as why it isnt one of the best controllers nintendo's made?
@PhantomSwitch
The smash players can learn to use something different.
Couldnt care less for GameCube-Controller but read Virtual Console and got excited (again)!
@shaneoh
Never. I get to use it on Gamecube, Wii, Wii U Smash and on PC for games like Rivals of Aether.
@shaneoh thats not what i asked for, i asked why isnt it one of the best controllers nintendos ever made and why shouldnt it continue to be supported by nintendo? (Edit: didnt notice you were refering to another of my comments, sorry about that.)
@shaneoh Opinions are like bumholes; everyone has got one, but that doesn't mean yours stinks any less than another's.
Anyhoo...... I'm hopeful that this means a Smash Ultimate is on the way, with both the Wii U and 3DS versions amalgamated into one glorious HD package.
Is the Wavebird controller supported too?
Aww was hoping to get mentioned for tipping twice in one day lol. So excited for this! Extra controllers for Mario Kart!
I don't understand the fanboying over the Gamecube controller (give me the Pro controller any day) but this is pretty cool that I can actually get some use out of mine for multiplayer!
@Iggy-Koopa
If you want to go around sniffing people's posteriors that's your choice.
@NF6429
Yeah I hit reply to the wrong person. Terrible design, odd button size and layout, poor right stick placement
@shaneoh Ah, okay, well, although i disagree with most of that, i do agree with the button size issue. Might be good for people just learning how to play, but when your into a game the sizes can get in the way sometimes.
I was never able to play GameCube games(aside from the ports of WW and TP),playing them for the first time on a console that can be used everywhere would be awesome.
As far as I know, the GameCube controller is treated as the Pro controller, meaning every game that supports the Pro controller also supports this. If you can get away with not having ZL, Minus, Home, and Capture buttons, not being able to click in the thumbsticks, and not having motion control, you’re good to go! It’s a long list of missing features, but it works just fine for games like Mario Kart.
@PlayedNSlayed gonna try wavebird now, will report back
@shaneoh Sometimes, they stink so bad that you don't have to
This is so nice. Now I don't need a second set of Joy-Con (at least for now) to play games with 4 people. There must be a reason why they'd allow us to use GC controllers. No one asked for it but they added the support regardless. I must say there's a good chance that it's in preparation for Smash or VC.
Sweet
@PlayedNSlayed holy s*** wavebird work!!!!!
@shaneoh
So what is the best controller out there?
Never bought one of these. I was under the impression they were impossible to get. Can't wait to pick one up with some controllers!
@OneArmedGiant
Depends on the game, but there are controllers out there that can do what the GC controller can, but are better designed. The pro controller is suitable for smash.
@PlayedNSlayed
I have played Smash4 a lot with that.
@shaneoh
Or... you could choose what controller you want to use.
I'm also going to point out that this update is going to be useless unless the switch is docked.
@Luffymcduck
Unless it is one of the many older and newer controllers that aren't supported.
Well well well.
Smash Deluxe please.
Having more options is always good
Some people don't like it and some people do.
Does it still need two USB port ?
@shaneoh
But the pro controller is not better designed. It's also wireless, which is not optimal. Suitable is in no way better.
Anyone tried the Mayflash adapter? Saw the article mentioned 3rd party issues so could well be this won't work, but I won't be able to check until tonight
yay! now i won't have to pay $80 for a pro controller.
@shaneoh
How else will I use my awesome Logic3 GameCube Arcade Stick (with Rumble) on the Neogeo games and Street Fighter.
@Shufty
You have to update the firmware on the Mayflash, but it works perfectly. The only issue is each port acts like Player 1. Playing Sonic Mania with the GameCube controller is really col.
There are only 2 problems with the gamecube controller :
Yes the gamecube controller is by far my favourite. I love how they resized the ABXY buttons to reflect how often they normally get used. It doesn't work out for every game but most of the time it's fantastic.
This is because the Wii Remote wasn't suitable for SSBB. This is what happens when you succeed something with something seen as inferior. The old version gets stuck with a reputation for being great. It's not the only good controller.
Though It is a very versatile controller seeing as it works on everything GC forward. Cheaper than a Pro too.
Unfair that you can use GC controllers but no Wii ones.
Well my adaptor is still in its box from launch. Whilst I like the GC controller I don't fawn over it like some people.
Again I would only use it for Cube VC games and maybe even then the Pro controller may be better suited to my tastes.
I just use whatever I prefer and love experimenting, I mean I use my SNES pad for every game on the Retron 5 and 3rd party controllers with preferable d-pads for any 2D game on the PS2 & PS3 (and eventually PS4).
.So...what other hidden features are in this update that Nitnendo don't want to share? Why the secrecy?
I promised myself I wouldn't get my hopes up, what with the pressure sensitive shoulder buttons and all, but now I'm really rooting for GC VC support!
@smashboy2000 you can use the black wire only, but that gets rid of rumble.
@RadioShadow thanks for the headsup, hopefully they'll do another firmware update for the Mayflash soon
I've never understood the love of the GC controller myself, but I like some weird controllers (like the N64 and Dreamcast) so I'm not one to judge!
I did really like the idea behind the reshaped face buttons on the GC controller, I found them very comfortable. It was mainly the really spongy analogue triggers, small d-pad and hard-to-reach Z button that spoiled it. The Z button should have had a matching one on the left and they both should have been easier to reach.
That said, the left analogue stick is wonderfully sensitive and precise, making navigating the courses in Kururin Squash a joy to experience!
@readyletsgo Great! . Looks like I'll have to track down an adapter now then
If they are looking at doing GameCube VC games then this support is vital to get past the issue of the Switch Pro Controller not having analogue triggers. So it certainly makes that rumour more credible and not just the chance of a Smash on Switch.
Assuming this is something Nintendo keeps in the long run, it may have just solved my number one issue with the switch, that being that I didn’t want to buy those expensive pro controllers
@shaneoh What?? Why? It's definetely my favourite controller to use, why is this not a good thing that I can keep using it?
Hi IB!!
On the Wii U, the ONLY game the adaptor worked with was Smash, so the logical deduction is that Smash coming to the Switch. I remain skeptical that gamecube games coming to a VC.
@AlternateButtons Agreed. Modern gaming controllers are much more comfortable.
Solves the Mario Sunshine analog trigger problem, though it's less than ideal because it doesn't help in portable mode. More excitingly, it makes me think a port of Smash might be closer than we think.
@shaneoh
No. Let the Dual Shock controller with its god awful analogue sticks in the center of the controller and its smushy, flat buttons die.
Throw some triggers on the gamecube controller and its pretty much the best damn controller ever made.
YES.
Dreaming of Gamecube VC support...
Literally heard this and went straight to Amazon and ordered one of these.
Switch, Smash, gamecube adapter and wavebird wireless controller = Bliss
This is fantastic news.
I'm much more positive about Smash and GC VC now.
Plus, the GameCube controller is such a good controller. It is perfect for Mario Party, Smash and other games.
My issue with the GC Controller is that its not versatile, its only good for GC games due to the "unique" button layout. The dpad sucks and the triggers suck. I dont get much use for this controller when there are clearly better ones out there. Dont even use them for Smash anymore.
@shaneoh The GameCube Controller can never and will never die!
Wahahahahah!
IMO the best controller ever has been the XBOX360's. That thing just melts into my hands.
Well I'm gonna buy an adapter now....
somehow, I can't make it work on my switch. OS is 4.0.0, official wii u to GC adapter with both USB connected to the side of the official dock. when I'm in "pair/change order", nothing happens when I hit R+L on any of my 3 official GC controller. someone has an idea?
Stupid question: Can GC controller be used to play in portable mode?
@doomgc go to systems settings. Update controllers. Wired pro controller setting on.
Hope that works
Great news! Hopefully this means Gamecube VC for Switch or even some remasters. Hardly used the adaptor for Wii U.
This is huge news for me. The GC controller has the most optimal face button layout for a bunch of genres - I love that I can play Mario Odyssey with the same controller I play Mario Sunshine with
Really wish they would just make Gamecube joycon, I think it's time we put the actual old controller and adapter in its final resting place: only at Smash tournaments.
Unfortunately, the 4.0 update seems to have a bug or something, as I can no longer get audio out from the Switch when it's docked. I have the dock connected to a device that splits the audio off so it can go to a separate set of speakers. I confirmed that it's still working for the Wii U, but for whatever reason I get no audio from the Switch now, and it started once I updated to 4.0.
@shaneoh "I'm also going to point out that this update is going to be useless unless the switch is docked."
8 player SSB4 Deluxe would be quite interesting in tabletop mode. Baby oil and clothing optional.
While I'm one of those people who thinks options are always good, we can always not use them if we don't want to, hence "optional", this one seems like an odd choice. Gamecube, whatever the worth of the controller, was 3 generations ago - Switch, Wii U, Wii, Gamecube. I think this means 8 player SSB4 Deluxe on Switch next May, but who is going out looking for Gamecube controllers in 2018? I'd rather they make the Wii U Gamepad work wirelessly, give us 13mil Wii U owners something to do w/ it. And the Wii Classic Pro and Wii Pro. And cheaper Switch Pro. And all those Wiimotes and Nunchucks, must have been literally half a billion of those sold. Half a billion w/ a B.
There are kids playing on the Switch who weren't even born yet when Gamecube launched in 2001. And it only sold 22mil, it was almost as big of a failure as the Wii U. Can't make that the "go to" controller in 2018. Make some better Joycon w/ analog triggers and a D-pad instead.
did they not add pre ordering and pre loading games from the eShop? with the biggest game of the year coming in 3 days when will we be able to pre order and pre load Mario?
Can confirm the GameSeek adapter works. The controller doesn't show up on my controller page, but the button inputs work. No 'firmware update' required.
@AlphaElite Oh no!! That's a disaster if true! I haven't tried it yet but I have a similar setup. I've only done handheld since the update.
That said, that's also weird. The splitter simply redirects the HDMI audio channel.....if it's not working that implies it not even sending HDMI audio. It's possible that they just updated the HDCP protocol due to the video streaming feature and your device doesn't support HDCP or that revision? Hmm...that's very concerning. I may have to try that tonight....
@rjejr Gamecube is at least seen as "cool" in gaming circles so it has "street cred" to take seriously. The GCN controller is still used as the official competitive controller for Smash.
WiiU and Wii controllers however have a critical failing: The Wii branding. I think it's pretty certain (and a pretty good idea) that the Wii brand remain permanently and forever abandoned and forgotten, and nothing relating to it is ever associated with Switch in any capacity whatsoever. The concepts of the Wii can be re branded for the Switch Joycons as though Wii never existed, and that's a good thing. They can say "Wii" at the AGM so the investors remember the how high is high glory days, and avoid saying it to consumers ever. "Now supports the Wii tablet" is not something they want to ever say to Switch's market
All that said, I'm not a fan of the GCN controller. I don't play smash seriously, I never had an actual GCN, and I played GCN games with the Wavebird on Wii.....it wasn't a bad controller by any means but there's no magic to it like there was the SNES controller. The best thing about the GCN controller was simply that it wasn't the N64 controller nor DualShock. It wasn't bad but it wasn't some piece of gaming magic like people make it out to be.
Do these work for ARMs? Because that would be awesome.
The gamecube controllers rise again!
Anyone else notice that 4.0.0 also updates the play activity? Before any game under 5 hours just said “Played for a little while.” Now it actually says “Played for 1 hour or more,” “Played for 2 hours or more” etc. Small but nice. Hopefully we get a full Play Activity soon.
This is interesting and I fully support it for all of those who care about it. Unfortunately it's of no use to me as we sit way too far from the TV to deal with wired controllers. The wireless Switch Pro controllers are expensive, but SO nice.
While I won't go as far as to say it should die, I am in agreement that it isn't that great of a controller. Personally. There have been worse (the original Genesis controller is hideous). But I just never took to it like many others.
@shaneoh Just let horrible opinions die already.
@doomgc @BezBot @Shufty @Shufty
I have the 3rd party Mayflash adapter and I tried this out last night. Played some Breath of the Wild and some NBA 2K18 with my Gamecube controller.
It took my switch a second to recognize it (maybe because I have a 3rd party adapter (I would have bought the Nintendo one, but I couldn’t find one).
I plugged it in and pulled up the controller settings page and pushed L and R on the Gamecube controller over and over, but nothing happened. Then I pushed them on my Switch Pro Controller and it pulled up and I pushed them again on my Gamecube Controller and that time it worked.
I wanted the Gamecube controller to be the 1st player so I got out of that menu and then back in and this time the first time I pushed L and R it registered correctly. Then it worked just fine with Zelda and NBA 2K.
So I take it the GC controller can only be used in docked mode?
@Don, that is correct.
@NEStalgia " The best thing about the GCN controller was simply that it wasn't the N64 controller"
Those are my thoughts exactly.
And while Wii U may be something to be forgotten, Wii sold 100m. That's 4-5x what the Gamecube sold. So street cred or no, I still think it's a weird decision. I mean it's nice and all for people who own both the adapter and some old GC controllers, but weird to skip 2 gens to go back that far.
Now on Nintneod's behalf, they haven't announced it apparently, so who knows whats going on there, maybe it was something the designers snuck in. Or maybe it's for an early December Ntinedo Direct when they announce SSB4D for "first half of 2018", meaning June 28th. Maybe they'll make Switch branded adapters and Switch branded GC controllers. Maybe they'll announce GC VC. But they haven't announced anything yet, not even this, so we'll see.
But they wont' be announcing Wiimote support, no sensor bar, which is why I think it's weird going back 3 gen while skipping over the previous 2. Street cred or not.
@NEStalgia Funny you mention the N64 controllers. I personally feel they are among the best controllers of all time. Granted, I don't think I'd ever use them again for any current gaming (unless we are talking about a N64 mini). But maybe it has to do with the N64 being the console during my most formative years and therefore, there's that attachment
Do the right thing, Nintendo: let the Wii U Pro controller connect to Switch!
I hope for gamecube VC but either way this is good news for fans of the controller.
@Fred13
Mine is not working at all. I did it all, connected it to all USB ports, used different controllers, tested on all ports, tried on PC and Wii U modes, restarted my Switch and nothing. Am I missing something?
hopefully the GameCube controller will work with Mario kart. one or two of the actions are mapped to multiple buttons.
maybe the GameCube controller will work in super Mario odyssey as well.
@nukatha
I hope they will make it work in portable mode as well. I would like to play GameCube VC if it comes on the go.
@UmbreonsPapa You sound just like all the crazy people that tell me that "Back to the Future" is a Great movie.
It's a terrible movie and the N64 controller (although I have A LOT of nostalgia tied to it) was a terrible controller.
(Yes I realize that now I'm going to get a bunch of people responding to me telling me that Back to the Future is amazing, but it's not you're just nostalgic for it)
@MrGamerClock64 hmm. I wish I knew. I don't know why mine didn't work the first time and I don't know exactly what changed it. I'll have to try it again tonight and see if it still works.
You know, I have 3 Switches I should try it on the other 2 and see if I have the same experience on each one.
@Fred13
I'm upset right now.
That is another interesting secret tucked away with the 4.0 update. Guess Amelia was hiding something with that whole hiding a secret line. Wonder what else she is keeping from us.
I'm just curious about the person that discovered this. Was it datamined, info on the inside, or they have the adapter with GC Controller connected to the switch since day one. Just testing it out with each update in the hope that it will one day be supported. With fandom, nostalgia, and stubbornness with some people, I'm leaning on choice 3.
Game Cube Controller is Nintendo's Fight Stick.
I'm rather hoping this means Game Cube games rather than a port of Super Smash Bros. U. Rather see a new one than a port.
@Fred13 thanks for this, have you updated the firmware on the Mayflash already?
My PC's Xbox 360 pad is crying out to be supported by XInput API on Switch. I know it'll probably never happen, but it would be nice. It would only be missing the capture button.
@Shufty
Updating the adapter will make the controller to function like a Pokken controller, not entirely useful for most games.
@MrGamerClock64 Ta, will have a play before considering an update as I'm not fussed about Pokken at all.
@Shufty
Neither am I. The Pokken controller is really limited. Having the GameCube controller functioning like a Pokken controller is a major turn off for me.
So the fact that this only worked with Smash on Wii U was completely artificial? What a surprise. Another scumbag move from Nintendo to Wii U owners. Add it to the long list.
@RainbowGazelle
That's why I got the Mayflash adapter.
Honestly, Gamecube is becoming an overrated thing these days. Let it die already.
I still use my first GameCube-Controller from my console. Therefore it is now almost 16 years old. And it still plays like a new controller despite of Mario Kart, Mario Party and, of course, three Smash Bros. games.
I am glad that Nintendo still supports it. This is what we call sustainable.
I think Smash Deluxe and a brand new Animal Crossing game are come to Switch next year, along with Kirby and Yoshi games.
@Azooooz What is bad about letting people use accessories they already have? As long as it's not emphasized much like on Wii U and done in the background I think it's great.
@brutalpanda: Mostly it is envy.
@MsgBoardGamer: It is all about the name and not the technology...
Yes that also means that Super NES controllers as well as any controllers that can be plug through an adapters with the GameCube controller ports will also work too (I hope).
I saw this and got excited but then realized my adapter isn’t the official one and it doesn’t work.
Metroid Prime 4 with gamecube controllers? Sick.
@Wayoh2002: Metroid Prime 1 with GameCube Controllers: Worked fantastic in 2002 and it still is great
@brutalpanda It's not that. It's just people make some assumption that a 16 years old game like smash bros. melee, which most of the people have, would appear as well. I think that they praised the game too much already.
What a relief for Smash fans!
@RodSD64 Oh yeah In Smash Bros. my GameCube Controller is like a third hand
The rational, calm half of my brain: Don't read much into it, don't get your hopes up....
The spontaneous, hopeful half: ZOMG YES!
@Chandlero I think you replied to me by accident.
Erm, why is this not working for me? Got the correct update, official adaptor plugged into the dock, wired pro control on... no responses from my wavebird, wired GC controller or (rubbish) 3rd party GC controller.
Good news. Hopefully they still release analogue joycons for vc on the go goodness.
@shaneoh Regardless if it's a great controller or not, it's nice to have cost-efficient options.
I personally don't want to spend over $200 on three new Pro controllers.
@shaneoh Someone's bitter
@rjejr did you forget they remade gamecube controllers for smash 4? you can just walk into a game store and pick one up for the same price as a used one.
@shaneoh the NES wasn't that good it needs to die. yet we get the NES Mini and NES VC. oh why! nintendo why won't you let it die!
You read all of it good this is what you sound like.
Great! This means I can still use wired controllers and not stop for recharging the obnoxious wireless controllers :>
It's funny how people are complaining it got support. There's already an adapter and Nintendo gave support for it.
Seems like the people that are complaining about the gamecube controller just want some attention :> (because it's not like making support for this controllers hurt anything, but people like complaining for everything, so I'm not surprised)
It's more than welcome to use these than pay almost 300$ for 4 pro controllers.
@Blister Try selecting 'find controllers' first before 'change controller order'.
@Shufty No, I've never updated the firmware of the adapter. I hope updating that firmware didn't mess it up for others...
@Seacliff thanks - I will try that. I see IGN states that some people needed a few attempts to pair them.
So the pro controller is better, but so what? I’ll never own 4 if them, yet I already own 4 gamecube controllers. I did like the gamecube controllers. They aren’t the best controllers ever made, but they were comfortable for most gamecube games, and unlike ps2 controllers, they had character. I didn’t like them for retro games like the mega man collection. Small d-pad and akward button layout for those types of games. Anyway, as cool as it would be to have a smash bros on switch, I’d much rather this mean GC virtual console. Then we could still have melee, plus many of my other GC favorites.
@OneArmedGiant No such thing as a best controller; it all boils down to personal preference.
@shaneoh or at least put out an updated Bluetooth wavebird. All these adapters and cables are BS. Just put out a wireless version and be done.
@shaneoh child pls. This system was great. This addition doesn’t hurt you so why complain?
Man I never bought an adapter because I didn't think I'd need it...and now this.
@Fred13 * Putting on my fighting gloves strong * Heresy!!!
Would like to include a way to customize your controller settings whether in game or on the system for outputs...... because you play splatoon.... but can't actually enter because it doesn't have zL and can't be a squid (just tried it).
But this is neat
@Handsomistic15: agreed. My absolute favorites are Nes/SNes.My other favorites being Wiimote/Wii Classic Controller(the original SNes-like rounded design)/WU Pro. For functionality purposes, my second favs are a tie between the aforementioned Wii Classic, & WU Pro.
@Everyone_Else: Some NGC/GCN games are expensive on eBay, especially considering their age. I'm not saying games should eventually age to be reduced to no price. I'm saying prices should be reasonable.
Mario Kart: Double Dash is easily $40-50. I really wanna say that it's because it's the only entry supporting 2 racers to one vehicle, & before MK8DX, it was the only entry supporting lan play.
I also wanna say the high price of GC games is probably primarily due to nostalgia of today's younger gamers, who played the Cube when they were little, & also less so that Nintendo has yet to officially announce GC VC.
Options are very nice. I hope this pans out into VC, & being useful for Switch games, too.
@RadioShadow which adapter do you have exactly? i have the 4 port mayflash one that doesnt look like its been updated in a long time.
@607jf i bought my remade/relaunch controllers for $20 a year or so ago- now theyre $90 on amazon and sold out of every other store.
well then..
@Azooooz Is there some gamecube games you want to play or have you played them already? Just asking haha 😂
PLEASE TELL ME GAMECUBE VIRTUAL CONSOLE IS COMING
The Gamecube controller. It's truly a controller that will never die and honestly I'm OK with that.
So I got an adapter. Does the switch have rumble cause it's not working?
@shaneoh HELL NO! That left analogue stick is perfect. Bring the fella back I say (especially for gc vc)
The only reason to use a GameCube controller these days is for Smash. The Pro Controller is superior otherwise.
Let's put it like this.
Playing Smash: GameCube controller > Switch Pro Controller > Wii U Pro Controller
Playing anything else: Switch Pro Controller > Wii U Pro Controller > GameCube controller
@OneArmedGiant The Pro Controller has a wired input option.
@MsgBoardGamer That's kind of the point though. The features and tech of the Wii weren't entirely bad or undesirable, particularly when used with more conventional gaming applications. But the Wii brand, color scheme, and controller layout as a one-trick-pony "it's a remote control so grandma can understand it!" despite posting high sales numbers mostly because it became an exercise fad, is toxic to the Nintendo brand itself as it associates them with a trip in the wrong direction.
Thus taking the concepts of motion control and re-associating that type of input with the Joycon brand, allows them to keep the good parts of the tech and associate it as part of traditional setups via Switch without having to recall the "for tots and grandmas" branding disaster of Wii and the "they're all laughing at us!" WiiU.
Saying "you can use Wii" accessories with Switch ties the Wii brand and the market image of the Wii consumer to the Switch. Pretending like motion controls are a new thing that's totally unique to Switch through the power of Joycon technology distances themselves from what is a dead market simply by applying a fresh coat of paint. No white remote controls. Only pairs of neon remote controls with thumbsticks. And under no circumstances "a tablet controller for your Wii"
@UmbreonsPapa N64 controller was....well it was revolutionary in that it introduced thumbsticks to console gaming. So it's hard to be "anti-N64-controller." But it was a first attempt and it feels like a first attempt. The awkward M-shape, the C-buttons instead of a second stick, and most importantly the flimsy stick that ripped skin off thumbs before inevitably failing. I can't fault it....it was the first of its kind. It's just that everything made since is an improvement from that prototype.
@rjejr The sensor bar was just an IR flashlight set. Battery powered ones worked just fine, so they could still sell that if they wanted. But...why would they want to resurrect the brand that capsized? Wii sold well but it sold to an audience that is not only no longer interested, but actively tarnishes the company image by being associated with it. WiiU then gilded the entire brand in a fresh coat of poo. Nah, they can't acknowledge the existence of Wii ever again. They can acknowledge GCN since it's more a predecessor to Switch than Wii is, Joycon gyros aside.
Honestly I think they were only dipping their toes into the idea of jettisoning Wii entirely from their portfolio back in January through March. They tested the response. They did 1-2-Switch. They emphasized, heavily the motion control aspect and casual aspect Wii-style under the new brand. They tested more core game experiences in the GCN/3DS vein. And it seems like they let market response decide which way they'd pretend they were planning to go all along. The core went all in, the Wii crowed never even sat at the table, and so we're getting Wolfenstein and Doom and GCN support rather than Nintendoland ii, and wiimote support. I think it's a done deal. The positive response of the core and the absent response of the casual Wii audience has cemented that "Wii never existed to begin with." We're picking up from where GCN left off.
I preferred the N64 controller if I'm honest. Although I still have some GC controllers. Even a couple of Wave birds! May have to see if I can pick up an adaptor at a reasonable price.
@GaymerGuy5 I played all Mario Party games for the system, Metroid Prime both games, SSBM, Super Mario Sunshine, Sonic Adventure 1 & 2. Pretty much almost every people's choice games.
@MrGamerClock64 I thought that only worked for Smash, too. Does it work on all Wii U games? What about Wii games being played on a Wii U?
I want both Pikmin games on GC VC, even though it would be like my fourth or fifth time playing both. Beyond good and Evil would be great to have on the switch, although I’d prefer they gave us the HD version instead. Phantasy Star would be a good multiplayer. I also want Chibi Robo, especially if they refuse to do another 3-d Chibi. Photo finder didn’t count. Why on earth would they base their decision to make another Chibi on the the popularity of photo based 3ds game and a cheap 2-d platformer? I actually don’t care about Mario Sunshine. As far as Major Mario titles, it wasn’t the best even for it’s time. Other games have aged much better, in my opinion.
Cool. I like the controller, but it has one of the worst D-pads ever made. Love my pro controller more.
@RainbowGazelle
No, the adapter was only made for Smash Wii U. The Mayflash adapter can be used on PC to play some PC games or emulators.
@Roam85 They do work for arms and it's awesome.
Bongo support ?
Awesome news!!! Thanks Nintendo.
So if the adapter works for the Switch then why can't it work for the Wii U beyond just Smash? They could have at least let Wii Mode use it. <_<
Still, nice to hear it works for the Switch.
@Azooooz Wow that's pretty cool Azooooz 😁 I never had a Gamecube so i kinda missed out on some fun Gamecube Games. It would be cool if Nintendo did bring Gamecube games to the Switch, But it's up to them of course.
@Woodyshoe they work. Mine keep drifting left but it's probably just mine.
Minecraft and fast RMX have remapable controls btw.
@607jf "did you forget they remade gamecube controllers for smash 4?"
Yes, yes I did. Thanks for the reminder. I still think it's weird, but that should make it easier for people to find them. I'd still prefer they make new ones though, like those ugly Hori Pokken ones. $20 wired Nintendo branded Switch controllers for the Switch Multitap.
@NEStalgia "but actively tarnishes the company image by being associated with it."
Only the hardest of hardcore Sony and MS fanboys feel the Wii "tarnished" Nintneod's reputation. Mario Kart Wii sold 35 million copies. THIRTY FIVE MILLION. That's the same amount of copies of 1 game as the Gamecube {22) and Wii U (13) sold units combined. Where's the tarnishing in that? SSBB sold 13mil. Zelda TP sold 7mil. Know how many the oh so great Zelda:BotW has sold? 3.7m, so only half of what TP sold. So much for greatness.
Wii U was a bust, it barely was acknowledged by anyone, including Nintedo (like the PSPgo), and Wii did bring a lot of gamers to a home video game console who aren't coming back, but the only people having a problem w/ the Wii are the Sony and MS fanbois upset that an underpowered SD console outsold their HD powerhouses by 20 million. There's no shame there. No tarnish. Just the best sales of some of their games in the series. Zelda, Mario Kart, 2D Mario, 3D Mario. Sure, it's the console that gave us Wii Music, that's forgettable, but every console has it's dogs.
Nintnedo's newest "home console" is a touchscreen tablet. Now THAT's tarnishing your reputation.
All these nice little additions don't make up for the huge bug they introduced to users with a LG smart tv in update 4.0.0. Hope they fix this as soon as possible.
YES
@rjejr MKW sold very well. Mk always sells well, and it was a game for "everyone" on a platform "everyone" had. There were good games for the platform, and the platform was everywhere, but it still can not be forgotten that what was the Wii market is now the mobile market. Nintendo still sells to them via their mobile products, but they can't tarnish their console image with mingling too much with their mobile market (formerly their Wii market.) "Wii" is old. It conjures images of 2007. If the Wii brand was such a vital brand, WiiU would not have sold 13 million I know other things damaged WiiU, but the point is the brand power burned out and is now a liability. Had WiiU not existed it may not have become such a liability, but it did and it is. TP sold 7M on GCN+Wii. Skyward Sword did not fare so well. BotW hasn't even been out for a Christmas yet and is at 3.7M......think about that! The Wii brand is just not a positive association for the current market for gaming hardware in 2017, particularly as Nintendo is going out of their way, nostalgia included, to rebrand as a traditional gaming experience. I mean even Sony's not trying to clone Wii anymore...that's how you KNOW the ship has sailed beyond the horizon!
Bah, a tablet. Of course because this is the mobile era. Sony and MS are still selling glorified VCRs that play games on a television set like it's 1992. Sure Sony's selling a lot of VCRs, but then, look at this month's #1 selling console even over PS4. The ACTUAL SNES from 1992. Without even a cartridge slot! So what we've established here is gamer's love 1992 tech and refuse to enter the mobile age
BTW, Note 8 is a beast
@rjejr The Wii U supports Wii Remotes and it failed spectacularly.
@NinNin "The Wii U supports Wii Remotes and it failed spectacularly."
Yes, I'm sure the Wii U would have sold much better if it didn't support Wiimotes, it must have failed because of the Wiimote support.
@NEStalgia "but they can't tarnish their console image with mingling too much with their mobile market"
So that's why they built their new home console as a touchscreen tablet, so it wouldn't be tarnished by mingling with the mobile market? Freakin brilliant I tell ya. I would have gone with a big heavy 4k non-screen home console if I was trying not to mingle with the mobile gamers myself, but that's just me.
""Wii" is old. It conjures images of 2007."
So going older back to 2001 is the way to go? B/c we really want to be reminded about Y2K? Good times.
"I mean even Sony's not trying to clone Wii anymore......that's how you KNOW the ship has sailed beyond the horizon! "
Um, then somebody should probably tell Sony that, b/c they only just announced this Move twin pack last year in September.
http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2016/09/01/playstation-vr-move-controller-twin-pack-october-13-includes-two-usb-cables/
"The ACTUAL SNES from 1992."
If it were the actual SNES it would cost $200. I'm sorry to burst everyone's bubble, but people aren't buying the SNES Mini console, they are buying 21 SNES GAMES for $80. It's a legal Raspberry Pii w/ 21 games on it, $80 is a steal. If Wii U were $80 w/ 20 SNES games built in that would have sold better than the Wii.
That Note 8 is everywhere. Like everywhere everywhere. Imagine how well that would sell for $80 w/ 21 SNES games on it?
I'm burned out and gotta go make dinner, I have a 7lb chicken roasting in the oven that will need gravy made soon, I'll catch ya later.
@Seacliff Your tip worked, thanks!
@Handsomistic15
I know this. That's why I asked the question, to see what his preference was instead of him just telling us how garbage a lot of people's preference is.
Course the only thing stopping this being Smash 4....is you can't hook up 2 of em for 8 player Gamecube Smash, unless they release a new version that uses 1 USB.
@russellohh
The Mayflash has a switch (pun not intended) on the back with PC | Wii U. Just set it to Wii U and the Switch will recognize it. What's great is my GameCube to Mega Drive Adapter works perfectly, so I can play Sonic Mania with a Mega Drive Controller!
Nice, now I can play some of my multliplayer games with gamecube controller.
I wonder if that means the switch will start supporting the Wii U pro controller on it's own.
@Angelic_Lapras_King actually, you can. The switch dock support a usb 2.p hub. So just get a hub with 4 usb slots for 8 player smash. Which would be awesome. I would love to see SSB4 re-released on the Switch. ^^
@shaneoh I agree with letting the gc controller die. It's a solid controller (my fav is the dual shock 4) but nothing too special. I personally hate the button layout.
The main thing is that smashers and others will have to let go of this controller eventually. It's now a 16+ yr old controller and Nintendo will have to rip this bandage off eventually
@rjejr The point is that it has been proven that supporting Wii Remotes (and Wii games) doesn't help. Also, the Switch doesn't support Wii games. Supporting GameCube controllers makes sense because many people use them to play Super Smash Bros., and sooner or later a Super Smash Bros. game will be released on the Switch.
@Woodyshoe Bongos work!
https://twitter.com/maxsh/status/922958009973788673
@Iggy-Koopa love it and your bum hole smells nice.
I don’t understand why some of you think the WiiU died because it supported Wii games. Backward compatability is a major consideration for me when it comes to buying a new console. Probably the reason I still don’t own a PS4. Maybe they should have named it something different, but it wasn’t the backward compatabilty that hurt it. Wii was backward compatable for gamecube ganes and controllers and those sold like hotcakes. I always adopt new systems much more quickly when they are backward compatable. Recent exception being the Switch.
Works as advertised. It works pretty well with Mario Kart 7. Doesn't have enough buttons for Breath of the Wild though. The GCN's awful D-Pad keeps if from being a good choice for any 2D game like Sonic Mania or Blaster Master however.
I suspect I might use it a lot with Mario Odyssey however. I checked the buttons at the Gamestop kiosk, and the only missing button is R3 for first person mode.
@OneArmedGiant Fair enough.
Ugh, not more of this "updated smash port" talk again. Every Nintendo Console since the N64 has received it's own unique entry in the Smash Bros series. Hope for a NEW Smash Bros that blows it's predecessor out of the water!!
Good news all around about the gamecube controller compatibility, though.
Boy... Y'all get pretty serious about these damn games. It's fun watching you argue about which system /controller is best LMAO.
It is actually pretty funny seeing people argue about controllers. I mean, nobody forces anyone to actually use the GC controllers. What would be nice is having a List of games that can actually be played on the Switch with those GC controllers. Today I'm going to try out some of my games, but I'm already thinking about button layouts...
Woohoo! Well, this adaptor is something else to add to my shopping list once I get a Switch.
@liveswired Why thank you. I do have a great routine.
Just wanted to confirm some info on the Mayflash GC to WIi U/PC adapter. It works fine when set to Wii U mode. Firmware v6 (latest firmware) seems to be required. You'll also need to give it a few seconds for the adapter to be recognized (about 10 seconds).
I"ved tested it with my wired and wireless GC controllers. It seems only the wired controller were able to work, which sucks. Good news is that each slot is set as it's own controller. So having 4 wired GC controllers will work out just fine.
Who knows, maybe another Switch System update will give GC controllers more support. I mean, this was just a happy surprise right?
YES!
Not only is the GameCube controller my favorite, but the GameCube is my favorite console of all time!
@Flipbot It doesn't hurt, but it doesn't help either. Most people don't buy a Wii U mainly because they want to play Wii games on it.
I still have my 14 year old controller. This is pretty funny
@Ricube They can all be played with the controller, but you don't have access to a left shoulder/bumper (whatever it's called) and the Home button. You can, however, set the Joy cons as player 2 and get the Home button that way.
@TheLZdragon Ok, I know the problem are the missing: ZL button, left and right control stick buttons, the "-" and the Home button (and the capture button, but that one doesn't count for gaming), no Gyro. So it would be nice to make a list of games that doesn't use these buttons. For example today I played Snake Pass with the GC controller, no problem at all! Mario Kart is also totally playable, Zelda isn't. I guess all neo geo game are good, and so on...
@AlphaElite The good news is I tested it and mine still works fine, so there's not a magic flaw for the concept in the 1.4 patch. If I were to guess it's an HDCP issue with your splitter not supporting HDCP or not supporting the version. There are a lot of cheap splitters that don't support it, it's an important thing to look for when buying one. Sucks to have to hardware shop, but you should be able to get it working with one that either supports or bypasses HDCP. (With video recording they probably had to add it where it wasn't in use prior.)
@MsgBoardGamer It's not a matter of elitism or gaming culture or anything. It's a marketing/messaging issue. The Wii brand is associated with a particular type of consumer for a particular market that doesn't exist, or rather has moved to a different market since that time. I'm not talking about motion controls in games specifically or the "tech" of the Wii. I'm talking about the blue-on-white branding with the Wii name, and the remote-control shape of controllers. Anything representing a "Wii" trademark. The color changed back to red for a reason. Elitism or no, they're refocusing on the "core" gamer market, specifically the market they left behind from the N64/GCN era in favor of the Wii market plus the existing 3DS market and trying to woo back those former customers (aided by the retro mini consoles) to come back after discovering they traded a long-term loyal modest market for a temporary and disloyal large market. They may have created more gamers as intended, but they unfortunately created more gamers for King and Zynga than they did for Nintendo. Whether "elite" or not, the two markets are not compatible. Their old market walks away when they're reminded of that Wii market. And the old market turned out to be more dependable.
That doesn't mean Nintendogs + Switch can't be a thing. No doubt that type of content will exist. But they do know that betting against existing customers for an undedicated market is great for temporary gains but not long term growth.
Wii brand is a reflection of a market where almost 100% of that market is uninterested at this point in dedicated hardware now that general purpose hardware is in their pocket at all times, and almost 100% of the market interested in dedicated hardware isn't interested in the Wii brand. If they re-sold the Wii painted black and red in a red box and called it "Revolution" it wouldn't tarnish the brand as bad as a white painted Switch branded "Wii and Go" (Aside from the fact that's a horrid name. But I figured it's better than "Wii Handheld" ) Regardless the combination of the oil+water mixing of the two markets, plus the negative connotation the WiiU permanently dragged the brand into, makes the brand a no-go at least without a significant cooling off period until it becomes cool again.
@rjejr sigh everyone's confusing the hardware with the market. Having a touch screen doesn't make it the mobile consumer's market. People buying tablets and phones are not including Switches in their considerations, and people shopping for Switch aren't considering a phone as an alternative because the messaging has been clear about what it is.
And it's not about the age specifically. GCN isn't associated with a time period specifically. Wii as a brand isn't remembered for being a particular era's console, it's remembered as a social phenomenon associated with a time period. It's not about THE WII. It's about the "Wii" brand itself. Strip the Wii of the Wii brand, call it a Revolution, and then you can compare it to GCN and N64. But the blue & white Wii brand with a stick controller (that's iconic to the Wii brand) is what's at issue here, not the console hardware. the console itself is neither more nor less relevant as a console than GCN, N64, Dreamcast, whatever. The Wii BRAND is what they are trying to separate from. Gray-logo Nintendo era where they actually separated themselves from the Nintendo name and used mostly the Wii name as though that was the company brand. That was a fortunate and maybe intentional decision as the Nintendo brand came back afterward as though it's separate from Wii. My point isn't about which controller is older. It's about the one being an iconic image and name of a particular brand they are wisely distancing from because it has indeed dated itself. GCN, N64 controllers are just "old controllers". Wii controllers are "a Wii".
The Switch already comes with TWO similar-but-better controllers anyway....so....other than tying in the horrendous branding, why would there even be a need for it? (Then again the same can be said about the GCN controller.....some people just like holding their GCN controllers I guess, and I guess some people just like to hold their Wii? See, there's that unfortunate branding again....)
Haha, well the Move got re-purposed as VR controllers which is the only reason they still exist.
You're right about the SNES, though it's also the authentic controllers too. That's a key part. I wouldn't buy an $80 Note 8 if all it did was play 21 SNES games....the screen's too small and the input would suck. Not even an S-Pen could save that. Besides, the Snapdragon chip costs more than $80 thanks to the illegal Verizon collusion meaning we need a special version of every phone to work with our carriers and only Qualcomm is allowed to produce it (even if they just pay Samsung to make it for them...)
Does that chicken have 21 SNES games on it?
@MsgBoardGamer By "core" I didn't necessarily mean the "E3 PSXBox Witcher, Battlefield core" type, I mean Nintendo's core, which does include 3DS (and again, we're talking BRAND market, not specific hardware market.....3DS and Switch aren't competitors in that mindshare, 3DS + Switch is the, what I'll call "Red Nintendo" brand versus the "gray Wii" brand. For that matter, DS, DSi, are also the "Red Nintendo" market. N64 and GCN were the "Red Nintendo" market. yes they dropped in sales, though in part that was due to the introduction of new stronger competition from the introduction of Sega and later Sony (and their own missteps as usual.) Try to launch "Wii 3" today....try to guess how successful it would be? I suspect a lot less successful than Switch looks to be. Put "Wii 3" next to Switch and I can' imagine which would sell better (even if they were fundamentally similar inside but marketed differently.) I haven't looked at US sales numbers specifically, so much of that drop doesn't include the huge shift in Japan from console to handheld over the years (and of course the uniquely Japanese waning of the gaming market overall which would hit Nintendo harder than other manufacturers as they're a virtual monopoly there still.)
Remember we're not debating about which console is better or had more customers, we're debating which BRAND association has more potential and if one is arguably all but without value at this point. There are some people that will certainly always associate Nintendo with "Wii" but overall the brand ran its course. It alludes to an era of SD televisions, the end of CRTs, living room interaction before the mobile world, WiiU, etc. Even the Wii despite all its success early by milking the new "casual" audience and ignoring the "core" or "nintendo" audience (Iwata explicitly stated that "too much focus on the casual user was, perhaps, a mistake.") (the company was shocked with him admitting error....a Kyoto business does not admit error, ever, especially to the West! Nintendo is ALWAYS perfect!) By the end of the generation it actually fell behind PS3, and it's active install base/attach really cut off.
But back to the brand: What is the Wii brand now? In 2017 we have the mobile space that didn't exist in 2007. The gamers who bought a cheap TV box to play small games can now do that with a device they already have. Nintendo's challenge (one that many ddn't think they could succeed with, including Ishihara of TPC apparently) is no longer "how do I get people to play video games" as it was then. Their challenge is "how do I convince people to buy dedicated expensive hardware on which to play video games?" Aside from the actual hardware and software strategy to do that is the question here: Does the Wii brand and it's public association help do that? The public image of blue-on-white gray Wii is of the types of games you can now play on a phone, and a throwback to late SD TVs, with it's remote control analogy when the average person wasn't used to playing with tech toys (now they have complicated touch screen devices as part of daily existence.) The red Nintendo brand is both a nostalgic throwback to traditional gaming that resonates at one level or another with the "core" and a new identity to everyone else for moving the franchise IPs they want to sell, and selling to the mobile (former Wii) audience, via mobile games, as a promotional tool to convince them to buy "real" games on their "real" hardware (minus the word real, Iwata's stated intent of mobile games, echoed by Kimishima and Koizumi.)
So bringing it full circle to both points: The Wii brand itself is a relic of a specific period in time without an element of timelessness. That would be neutral but after the WiiU, that brand became toxic.
And the second point, yours being that of elitism, yes. It is, in fact, manufactured elitism on Nintendos' part as part of the actual strategy, just as elitism is a core part of Playstation's marketing strategy. PS is the most powerful. The "best place to play (TM)" Xbox One X is the most powerful video game console ever built. Liquid cooled! And "Red" Nintendo is "real" games for those who decide to "upgrade" from the "lesser" mobile games they sell. "Red" Nintendo is premium. They've spent millions to build that elitism, and just held an Animal Crossing Mobile Direct to continue cementing that policy and message. "Elite" AC will not doubt be around the corner (by next E3.) Wii set out to build new gamers as they lost core gamers. That didn't really work long term. The new long term messaging seems clear in its intent to instead of create new gamers, to convert existing "casual" gamers into long term "core" gamers. And it might just work. (does that sound a little too Upworthy/Buzzfeed?)
The GC controller is by far my fave controller ever so this is great news for me, really hope we get GC VC soon !
@NEStalgia Ooh, nice job on the Wii BRAND explanation, I'd give you an A. (Have I mentioned I taught at the University of Kentucky for 4 years while working on my PhD?) Not that an A would do you any good here, so I'll go one better and give you the win and stop discussing it with you.
"Haha, well the Move got re-purposed as VR controllers"
Maybe the Wiimotes will get re-purposed as VC controllers? Though you're also right about the Joycon being basically renamed Wiimotes, so no need for BC w/ the Wiimotes, just sell more colored Joycon.
"Does that chicken have 21 SNES games on it?"
Chicken had some flavor and some calories, man cannot live on NOStalgia alone.
Manicotti w/ Italian sausage marina sauce in the oven tonight. mmm
gc controllers are so overrated. there are much better controllers these days.
Just some more updated news on the Mayflash Adapter. Apparently the Wireless Wavebird GC controllers do work. But you have to have the Wireless receivers plugged into the adapter BEFORE you turn on your Switch console and/or wake it from Sleep mode.
Still seems to be a hit or miss though in Wii U mode. Not sure why it only detects my controller half of the time. Though again, maybe in another system update, we'll see some more support for it.
@MsgBoardGamer I think you're still arguing at cross purposes here, to an extent that I'm to really sure what the direction is. This started as a discussion with rjejr about the Wii BRAND and the negative image potential of associating it with the Switch by associating Wii brand accessories to it as rjejr suggested over the GCN accessories due to being newer. My point was that the Wii brand would be a negative image and liability to associate with it while GCN is a neutral image, in part because the Wii brand was confined and managed almost separate from the Nintendo brand (red Nintendo), so it can easily be isolated and separated by not associating the Wii brand with current products to quarantine the stigmas associated, while the GCN brand is inherently an associated brand in the "red Nintendo" brand.
You're argument seems rooted in Wii era games, input methods, and sales numbers, which is a whole other debate, but has nothing to do with the actual conversation regarding the "gray Nintendo blue-on-white Wii branding" and the connotations it carries, as it applies to associating that brand with current offerings. The current CEO didn't even want to associate that brand with the previous console, and told the former CEO as much! So for clarity of this thread's conversation....I'm not talking about Wii era sales numbers or the decline from NES to SNES. I'm talking about the gray/white/blue Wii brand as a brand. That's what the whole conversation was about, associating the ACTUAL Wii remote controls with the gray Wii logo emblazoned on them with the Switch by listing them as a supported accessory while the Joycons already support all the same inputs (short of the IR sensor bar which was largely replaced by the gyro in the Motion Plus version even for Wii) in a superior way.
So most of this is really off the original topic. The only part I will add to because it sort of ties in is:
-
"so your assertion that Nintendo is convert[ing] existing "casual" gamers into long term "core" gamers is dubious on its face. Those gamers aren't magically going from Super Mario Run to Super Mario Odyssey given all the evidence that we have and your own admission of the facts. Not only that, if these gamers just want to go from casual gaming to core gaming, they have access to cheap 3DS platforms that provide plenty of core gaming."
-
Except that's explicitly what every executive from Iwata to Kimishima to even Reggie has said the point of mobile is: to increase IP awareness and convince people to buy a dedicated machine (be it Switch or 3DS right now) and go from Mario Run to Mario Odyssey, or the more immediate example was Fire Emblem Heroes to Fire Emblem Echoes & Warriors, Pokemon Go to Pokemon Sun/Moon, etc. And Reggie (for whatever his words are worth) even confirmed that that strategy is working well and they intend to continue it (thus AC mobile all but guarantees AC Switch in the next year) Iwata stated that was the goal at the DeNA presentation and Reggie confirmed it this E3, with Kimishima confirming it last March. Eventually the "Switch family of systems" will probably be the only target, but for now, they don't care if it's 3DS or Switch, they want those mobile consumers to buy into the dedicated hardware ecosystem, and mobile is the promotional tool to effect that.
@rjejr "Manicotti w/ Italian sausage marina sauce in the oven tonight. mmm"
Soo.....it has Mario then?
@NEStalgia Oh dinner was very Mario. Fat manicotti Mario's w/ red sauce clothes and hat and sausage mustache.
@MsgBoardGamer "The color scheme change has to do with establishing the Switch as its own unique product that's not merely the next Wii console."
That right there was my entire point.
Anything beyond that (in this conversation) is just an attempt to say the Wii brand brings positive value to a product in 2017. And that's just something I can't agree with. And it's pretty clear Kimishima doesn't either (and didn't back when WiiU launched either.) If the Wii brand had such positive value, the Switch would be in a white box and carry the Wii brand. Similarly the Playstation brand does carry positive value, which is why they did not want to continue associating that name with the negative image of the Vita brand, by dropping the "PS" brand association when releasing the Vita TV product.
I'm not saying they deny the Wii ever existed. But they're taking great pains to ensure it's not at all associated with their current brand strategy.
Associating Wii brand imagery with current products is the kind of genius I imagine only Reggie to be capable of at this point
@MsgBoardGamer I think you're redefining "brand" to mean something beyond "brand". The brand is just that, the brand. You're correct to say it includes the associated perceptions and images, which is precisely why I say it's now negative. But features and ideas are part of the product, not the brand. The Joycons are not a part of the Wii brand. That's precisely why they're called Joycons now and not Dockable Wii Remotes. Zero association with the Wii brand. Yes, they of course inherit the features (and even did mention it doing so at the launch presentation), and sure many will think think "Wii" when we watch the 1-2-Switch messaging. But they've still very explicitly distanced from the Wii brand. If they've managed to capture the positives of the Wii's appeal, while detaching it from the tainted Wii brand and the mindshare that brand occupies, all the better.
Speaking of brand appeal (and tying it to the Note 8 reference in my conversation above with rjejr) there's an instance where a brand managed not to be tainted despite being possibly the worst association with a toxic product ever: The portable incendiary bomb that nearly brought down commercial airliners and burned down buildings and every last one of them had to be forcibly rounded up and destroyed, sometimes at the hands of federal agents. Yet the backorders for the new one look like Switch's back in March. Somehow "Note" is a more appealing name than Wii! Now that's a loyal customer base.
@MsgBoardGamer I'm starting to think you're just looking to buy an argument at this point where one didn't even exist.
Now you're talking about NES and SNES which I haven't been discussing at all. The "Red" color scheme had been Nintendo's corporate color scheme (brand) since before the NES on their arcade cabinets, continued through the GCN (red on black for the Nintendo brand prominently on most box covers), but during the Wii (and yes, that included the DS/DSi period) they replaced the red scheme with the gray scheme to better tie into what was their biggest brand at the time, Wii, and downplay the Nintendo name in favor of the Wii brand itself. They resurrected the red scheme for the 3DS brand (but kept the Nintendo brand gray until just before the Switch release where the Nintendo logo returned to red on 3DS, corporate messaging, display marketing, etc.) Red has been the Nintendo brand color at all times EXCEPT during the Wii gray logo era when they were intentionally downplaying the Nintendo name so it , ironically, wouldn't interfere with the soaring Wii brand.
Their company color has been red since the start for the reason many Japanese companies that pre-date WWII use red for their color:
Many companies post WWII or those that rebranded after shifted colors since reminders a product came from the the Rising Sun weren't terribly popular worldwide for a while.
"Motion control features" are not in any way related to "brand" beyond resudual public awareness. The brand is quite literally the messaging, coloring, associated industrial design, logos, slogans, naming schemes and phrasing, etc. etc. What the product DOES has nothing to do with the brand. You might associate the two. Billions of people may associate the two. That does not make it part of the brand in any way.
I'm not a marketing guy, and I'm not our forum's marketing expert, but I've been involved through enough brand approvals processes to be very very comfortable with what corporate and legal affairs will accept as brand compliance and not
@MsgBoardGamer at this point I'm going to just end the conversation since it isn't going anywhere. This started as a conversation with rjejr about the Wii brand via using old Wii accessories as supported. You jumped into that conversation but made it about the Wii brand representing motion controls, and not branding"in the legal sense" and drifted very very far past the actual conversation I was having regarding support of ACTUAL Wii accessories a.k.a brand "in the legal sense" and turned it into a different conversation and we're arguing at different points.
This conversation wasn't abstract. Nor was it about the legacy of the Wii. It was about the actual brand in terms on industrial design, trade name, colors, and logos, of old accessories being associated with current brand products.
@Iggy-Koopa you're welcome
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